Storm-apron.



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIOE.

No. 807,163. i

` Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 12, 1905.

.Application filed June 23, 1905. Serial No. 266,612.

T @ZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN P. GORDON, acitizen of the United States, residing at Oolum' bus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Storm-Aprons, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in storm-aprons for vehicles.

The essence of this invention resides in the peculiar construction which results in the production of an apron having many advantages and in the making of which considerable material is saved.

One of the advantages gained by the peculiar construction is the manner in which the apron is caused to hang when applied to the vehicle, reference being had particularly to the perfect water-shed provided and the hanging of the lower sides of the apron about the sides and forward portion of the vehicle, thus preventing the wind from blowing the rain and snow beneath the same.

Finally, the object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described that will be durable and eflicient and one which will be simple and comparatively inexpensive to make.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel details of construction and operation, a preferable embodiment of which is described in the specification, andillustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective view of an ordinary buggy body and top, showing my improved storm-frontin ositionthereon. Fig. 2 is, a plan view of t e storm-apron spread out for the purpose of illustrating its construction. Fig. 3 is a artial longitudinal vertical sectional view talien through the forward portion of the buggy-body and stormfront, showing one of the spring-clips and its manner of engagement with the dash; and Fig. 4 is an under side view of a portion of the apron, showing one of the reinforcingpieces at the end of the gusset.

In eX laining my invention I will first describe t e general construction and the manner in which the stormapron is formed. Therefore in the drawings the numeral 1 designates the apron proper, which is formed from a substantial rectangular piece of waterproof material. At its upper end suitable means, such as straps 2', are provided for fastening the apron to the top of the vehicle. In'

forming the apron the rectangular piece is cut on the angular lines 3 and then out downward from the point of intersection of the said lines, so as to provide the triangular portions 4. These portions 4 are swung outwardly, as indicated in Fig. 2, and a gusset 5 inserted in the opening thus provided. The gusset is suitably secured to the apron 1 and the portions 4 preferablyby stitching and is so shaped as to provide a fullness or enlarged central portion 6, which portion is shown as looped up in Fig. 2 and spread out across the top of the dash in Fig. l. At each corner of the gusset and on the under side of the apron I attach reinforcing-pieces 7, which` protect the seams and prevent the sharp points of the gusset from tearing out. The strengthening-piece 8 (shown in dotted lines in Fig. 2) may also be provided at the upper 4central portion of the gusset where the angular cuts intersect. At each side of the enlarged central portion 6 I attach to the under side of the gusset suitable covered clips 9, adapted to engage over the dash 10 of the vehicle-body 1 1.

vIn utilizing my invention the straps 2 are engaged with suitable fastenings on the opposite sides of the buggy-top 12 in the usual manner. The clips 9 are engaged over the dash 10 and owing to their springy naturev closely embrace the same. In placing the clips 9 in position the enlarged central portion 6 of the gusset is stretched out and provides a triangular water-shed 13 immediately back of the dash 10. Owing to the angle of the lines 3, on which the apron is out, the latter will fall away sharply from the gusset 5, producing the watershed 13 described, which converges upwardly to a point at its central portion, from which a second water-shed 14 diverges upwardly to the straps 2. The apron also falls away sharply from the edges of the water-shed 13, as illustrated in Fig. 1. This peculiar construction and arrangement provides a fullness at each side of the apron, so that the latter is caused to hang well down over the sides of the buggy, thus acting to eifectually keep iout the Weather. It will also be apparent that by the provision of the water-sheds 13 and 14 rain and show will be readily carried off, and by reason of the sharp falling away of the apron from these water-sheds the tendency to form pockets will be obviated, there- IOG by preventing any portion of the apron from collecting pools of water or snow, as is common where aprons are made in the usual way. The aprons more especially referred to are those which are formed With a boot fitting over the dash. lt is difficult to draw the inclined or upper surface of those aprons taut, and as a result they sag immediately behind the dash,V

thus providing a basin which catches the rain and snow, the same often leaking through the apron7 especially if the apron is not made from high-grade material. It is further to be noted that although a comparatively small amount of material is employed in constructing my apron the same when placed in position on the vehicle amply what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. A storm-apron comprising a body portion cut at its lower end and spread to form an opening, and an elongated gusset having contracted ends secured in the opening.

2. A storm-apron comprising a body portion cut at its lower end and spread to form an opening, an elongated gusset having contracted ends secured in the opening, and means carried by the gusset for securing the apron to the dashboard of a vehicle.

3. A storm-apron comprising a body portion cut at its lower end to form an opening without removing any of the material of the body, and a gusset having an enlarged central portion secured to the body in the opening thereof.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN P. GORDON.

Witnesses:

C. C. SHEPHERD, A. L. PHELPs. 

